DAFF 2325A - Climate Change and International Security

Type d'enseignement : Elective

Semester : Autumn 2017-2018

Number of hours : 24

Language of tuition : English

Pre-requisite

aucun

Course Description

The course is intended principally for undergraduate students and addresses the need for a clearer understanding of the multiple relationships between climate change and international, national and local security issues.
Environmental problems are closely linked to security issues at the individual, national and international levels. The physical effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, droughts, floods and other extreme weather events, will lead to social and economic problems: large scale migration, crop failure, faster and wider spread of diseases, economic volatility, and resource competition. Climate change accelerates global instability and exacerbates existing tensions around the world. The effects of climate change call for an immediate response from the international community and underline the necessity to focus on enhanced mitigation and adaptation measures.
The course intend to contribute to the analysis and understanding significant environmental and development improvements, such as the recognition and empowerment of local and indigenous communities in the shaping of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, and the identification and mitigation of conflicts that arise from climate change related issues.
Topics include:
• Climate change threats (conflicts over resources and border disputes)
• Environmentally induced migration
• Tensions over energy supply
• International Governance and the UNFCCC Regime
• The Implications of Climate Change for Global Governance
• European Union's climate diplomacy
• Development in the Post-2015 Agenda

Teachers

Course validation

a) An Oral Presentation (exposé) (40%). Each week, two students will present an individual oral presentation of 10 minutes. These presentations must answer questions relating to the topic of the week. A typewritten handout of the presentation is required for the class and the instructor.
b) Each Student has to write one reading sheet (4-5 pages 1.5 spaced) resuming one of the required readings of the week (40%).
c) Participation (20%). In a seminar, students are expected to actively participate in the learning process by contributing to class discussions. Grading will be based on quality rather than quantity of discussion. In particular, comments that show that you have read the material, have listened to your classmates, and are able to say things which move the discussion forward rather than repeating what has already been said will be valued. You are thus expected to carefully read all assigned material. Beyond that, you are required to attend classes regularly. More than three absences will gravely affect your grade.
Grading Criteria are the Following:
1) Does the oral presentation answers clearly the questions? Does the oral presentation display an original and critical reflection?
2) Does the oral presentation forget some central elements related to the topic?
3) Does the argumentation rest on relevant historical and/or contemporary examples?
4) Does the oral presentation show a coherent structure?
Beware of Plagiarism even in Oral Presentations! All works will be scanned by a plagiarism prevention device.